1. Health Risk Appraisals (HRA) Objectives Describe the concept of a HRA Identify the uses of HRAs Define risk and risk age List potential problems with HRAs Provide an example of a positive and negative risk factor http://thelightnc.com

2. HRA Overview Personal Data Risk Assessment “Risk Age” Ht/wt BP Cholesterol Glucose Age Race Sex Behaviors –Smoking –Exercise –Dietary

3. HRAs often use Risk Age Information on age, height, weight, BP, cholesterol, diseases, and lifestyle used to calculate “Risk Age” Risk Age: estimated age at which an average person would have the same chance of dying as your client Client age – 35 Risk age – 52 Client age – 35 Risk age – 24

4. Risk Risk: likelihood of an undesirable consequence due to a particular activity. Risk Assessment: process of estimating the likelihood of an adverse effect from exposure to hazards or risk factors.

5. HRAs Identify “Risk Factors” A behavior, lifestyle, or environmental exposure that influences the probability of an outcome (according to studies) May be inherited or acquired Generally increases the probability of an event or disease http://joesdiecastsh ack.yuku.com

6. Risk Factors CHD Positive Risk Factor Positive = positive correlation with a disease Negative Risk Factor Protective Factor Negative = negative correlation or protection from a disease or event CHD X axis Y axis

7. Uses of HRAs Information tool Supplement “hands-on” screenings Provides baseline for planning or needs assessment Assess risk factors Evaluate programs by pre-test, post-test measurements http://capitolfax.com

8. Uses (cont.) Provides objective measure of risk in next 10 years Generate enthusiasm for lifestyle factors Motivational tool Provides a teachable moment http://pharmacy.uhh.hawaii.edu/

9. What are some Criticisms of HRAs? Scientific base is limited –Few studies on African Americans, Asian, American Indian, and youth Little evidence for behavioral change Inaccuracies in client-provided data May provide false sense of security –Beneficial outcomes may reinforce harmful behaviors

10. Where can I find a free HRA? http://wellness.uwsp.edu/other/lifescan/lifescan.asp Harvard Health Calculator: https://healthyheartscore.sph.harvard.edu/ https://healthyheartscore.sph.harvard.edu/ Walgreen: http://www.walgreens.com/marketing/library/healthris k/default.jsp?AssessmentId=2 http://www.walgreens.com/marketing/library/healthris k/default.jsp?AssessmentId=2 Heart Disease Assessment Cancer Assessment Alcohol Risk Assessment University of Wisconsin Stevens Point http://womensfreesamples.com